Marine Rescue NSW volunteers ensure safe rescue of four divers off Port Kembla

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have safely assisted four people after their vessel became stranded on rocks off Port Kembla on Sunday.

Just before 12pm, local boaters raised the alarm after an anchor line failure left a vessel high and dry on Bass Islet while its occupants were diving nearby.

Rescue vessel Port Kembla 31, along with rescue watercraft (jet skis) Port Kembla 10 and Port Kembla 11, were immediately deployed to the scene.

One diver was recovered from the water and taken on board Port Kembla 31, while two other divers and the skipper made their way safely onto the rescue vessel. All four individuals were uninjured and were returned to Port Kembla Harbour.

A volunteer radio operator from the Marine Rescue Port Kembla Hill 60 radio base broadcast a securité to alert nearby vessels, while the stranded vessel was later able to refloat on the rising tide and returned to harbour.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Allan praised both the quick-thinking members of the public and the response of volunteers.

“Rescue vessel Port Kembla 31 and rescue watercraft Port Kembla 10 and Port Kembla 11 were immediately deployed to respond,” Inspector Allan said.

“On arrival, the vessel was high and dry on the rocks while our crew quickly located all four people.

“The Port Kembla 31 vessel crew and our rescue watercraft operators assisted all four people to safety.

“Our volunteers performed a swift rescue.

“It is important that skippers continually check the integrity of their anchor.

“This incident could have had a very different outcome if it wasn’t for alert local boaters raising the alarm and the quick response by the volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Kembla,” he said.